If you've ever been inspired to develop a phone or tablet app that addresses issues of climate change, the global economy, or space exploration, listen up.

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NASA has just announced its Space Apps Challenge, an international, open source—based app competition the Agency hopes will leverage data and new technology to create practical applications that benefit humanity.

Demonstrating its commitment to the Open Government Partnership, NASA will work with space agencies around the world to coordinate an International Space Apps Challenge to be held in 2012 that will encourage scientists and concerned citizens from all seven continents – and in space – to create, build, and invent new solutions in order to address challenges of global importance.

The International Space Apps Challenge is an innovative international collaboration that accelerates the development of solutions focused on making government better and addressing critical issues on our planet, including (but not limited to) weather impacts on the global economy and depletion of ocean resources. The unique challenges posed by spaceflight often result in solutions to issues we see everyday here on Earth, and development of these solutions can be expedited when leveraging the expertise and entrepreneurial spirit of those outside government institutions.